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Topic Review (Newest First)

10-19-2013 10:15 AM

lilsuz

Oh, forgot to mention, now I can think about buying another car just like the first (or possibly the second) I bought when I first started driving of course! I would use the Pfaff to do the interiors.

My first car was a White/Cream colored 1967 GT Slant 6 Automatic, hard top, coupe. I had white wall tires on it back then, but might need mags these days!

My 2nd car was a Light Blue 1963 Dodge Dart (3 on the tree) Hard top Coupe, also a GT. This car had a very racey look to it, I think because the back end was higher than the front. It would be great with mags wheels too!

I love both of those cars!

10-19-2013 09:39 AM

lilsuz

Haha Dan! If I said a word like that, my Grandkids might say what you say! You just never know when one of them will pop out from nowhere! So although I think those words, I refrain to protect their little ears.

Well, got a call yesterday from the Mechanic,Pfaffaleda was ready to go home!!!! She's on the kitchen counter top right now posing for her photo, new picture attached. Gonna take her down to the shop today and place her back into her table so she can get to work. I'm so excited!!!!

10-18-2013 07:25 PM

DanTwoLakes

I prefer to call anything bad that happens while sewing an "Oh S**T.

10-18-2013 04:44 PM

lilsuz

Yes, I think so too! Even though the Pfaff was not stitching right, it seems to pull the banner material and thick fabrics through the machine with ease. I need that when sending 60" wide banners through it for hemming. My old machine didn't have enough grip and the banners moved all around when sewing them, creating some wowies, or whatcha callelts. Well you know!

10-18-2013 07:12 AM

DanTwoLakes

The Pfaff is a Cadillac, and the Singer is a Chevy, so the mechanic is right, the Pfaff is the better machine.

10-18-2013 03:09 AM

lilsuz

Success! I got the notch drilled out just fine. I was able to get that screw out and am now able to tighten down the same screw and it is tight enough to hold. Still though, I plan to replace it.

My machine is still not sewing right though. After spending almost all day calling around, I found out that we have a New Sewing Machine Mechanic who moved to town. He is only about 8 miles away. He is very comfortable with Pfaff machines and his fees are reasonable. I took another machine to him yesterday to fix, and he suggested I keep the Pfaff as it was a better machine for doing my long banners, tarps, that type of stuff.

So, I can afford for this Mechanic to fix it and the travel time and expense I would have had to go through previously to take a machine in for repairs is no longer a factor in my decision making.

Hopefully the Mechanic has good news for me when I bring him the Pfaff to fix. Thank you again Dan, for all the help!

10-13-2013 08:27 AM

lilsuz

Dan, great idea!!!!

Hey, THANK YOU a bunch for photos of your machine too. This helps! They made your machine different, for sure. Much easier to get to that part. My screw is just so stripped and you have to approach it at an angle to get your screwdriver into the slot, and you are still only reaching part of it. Screwy!!

When I am trying to get at the area, I move the hand wheel until it brings the needle bar down to the spot that gives the screw the most exposure, but it is still pretty hidden behind the part that is in front of it. I was hoping I would not have to dismantle a bunch of parts to get at it.

I so wanted to get my drill out yesterday and cut a little notch in that area like you suggested, but did not want to somehow damage my machine or weaken the metal.

Most of my Customers are Pilots and I hear lots of talk about never drilling too many holes into a metal part as it compromises the whole part. Well this is a sewing machine, not a flying machine, but still... LOL!

Okay, I will get my drill out. Thank you!!!!

10-13-2013 08:17 AM

DanTwoLakes

My machine has a notch in the center support that allows me to get a screwdriver in very easily. I can't believe there isn't something like that on yours, or if there isn't, make one.

10-13-2013 06:29 AM

lilsuz

Well, I messed with the machine for a few hours yesterday. Figured out that using a much longer screwdriver allowed me to get at that screw easier that is on the needle bar. I was able to tighten it a little better, and got the machine sewing a perfect stitch. Then the screw got lose again and my perfect stitch was no longer perfect.

I have no idea how to get that screw out of there, but it needs to be replaced. My hubby says he can probably order all the screws in that I need, but we have to figure how to get it out first.

Then two other problems popped up. The belt to the motor seems to tight, which seems an easy fix. I just need a big enough wrench to adjust that. Second (new) problem was that the foot pedal started sticking. The machine goes like a race horse and it won't stop unless I rock it back with the other foot. I do know how to use a clutch motor, this one is just not working right.

The machine has not been run for a few years, so we'll have to work out all the adjustments. I'm hoping to be able to fix it myself. Yesterday gave me some hope when I got it stitching perfect.

Thanks for listening.

10-11-2013 06:30 PM

lilsuz

Dan, you are a funny guy!!

Sorry, I like to use big words... Makes me sound important.

Took some pics for you because a picture is worth a thousand words.

The screw below the basket will be easy to replace, but I will be a real braniac if I can figure out how in the heck I'm gonna get that screw off the needle bar. It's already difficult to get to.

I bet there are some instructions for that one too! LOL!

10-11-2013 05:43 PM

DanTwoLakes

The "basket thinga bobber"? I hate it when you talk technical like that.

10-11-2013 05:37 PM

lilsuz

Dan,

Thank you, I do appreciate the "proceed with caution" warning. You are right, but I figure for $105, if I can get a year out of it, I'd be happy. Got lots of stuff to sew and not a lot of dough. Gotta sew, ya know.

I made progress with the Pfaff 545 today. I got the upper tension and the bobbin tension set right, yay! Also got it stitching pretty well because I found some good instructions on how to adjust the needle bar. But my fix is only temporary as the screw (#2 screw on the needle bar - in the diagram I am using) is pretty well stripped. That screw is a tough one to get at! So, it appears the previous owner of the machine had issues as well, stripped screw is the indiacator. LOL. Let's see, new looking machine, stripped screw. Alrighty! Better get a screw.

I got a loose screw!

There is a stripped screw down below the basket thinga bobber too. I'm going have to learn sewing machine part names after meeting this Pfaff. She's a bit different than all my other machines.

10-11-2013 02:54 PM

DanTwoLakes

I did a lot of checking before I switched to servo motors. I wanted to compare the features , etc. The Reliable motor had more features than any of the other ones. None of these is a true servo motor in the first place. True servo motors are precise positioning devices that produce constant torque throughout the speed range. My only advice is to be careful what you buy, you generally get what you pay for. If you do get one, let us know what you like and don't like about it.

10-11-2013 01:13 PM

lilsuz

Dan, sorry for the late reply. Just saw this. Anyhow, you got much more life out of your motors than I got out of my lemon! I may donate my Sew Quiet 3000 if there is anybody who wants the challenge of fixing it.

Today I was looking on Ebay at Nik-o-Sew motors. You can get a 3/4 horse Servo motor for $105 shipped. That is a darned good deal and since I have two Upholstery machines and only one working motor, I should just buy one of those. Looks like it was probably manufactured the same place all the other Servo motors are made (from specs) and it just has a Nik-O-Sew badge or label on it.

I think I've convinced myself!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

The Sew Quiet 5000 is light years ahead of the 3000. I still have two 3000's and one 4000 that have never given me a minute's problem, and I've had them about 10 years.

09-27-2013 12:18 PM

DanTwoLakes

The Sew Quiet 5000 is light years ahead of the 3000. I still have two 3000's and one 4000 that have never given me a minute's problem, and I've had them about 10 years.

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